Animal Refuge Kansai

I saw a tweet by oh, danger! (@ohdangershop on twitter) about postcards for sale to raise money for animals in Japan.  So of course I bought some, and you can too, by clicking here.

Image of the postcards from the sale page.

After buying four sets of these adorable postcards, I proceeded to do some more research into the organisation the money was going to.

ARK, or Animal Refuge Kansai, is a Japanese based animal refuge.  They try to find homes for unwanted and homeless animals.  At the moment, with all the disasters happening in Japan, they are experiencing an influx of homeless animals.  So I, too, have decided to help!

I will be running an auction on my Facebook page and I am opening it up to anyone who wants to contribute.  Photographers, crafters, illustrators, ANYONE.  This is going to rely a lot on people such as yourselves spreading the word.  I'm doing as much as I can but I do need your help!

The auction album can be found here.

I've currently got four of my own soft toys up for auction worth $100.  It'd be great if I can get people bidding that high and it would be great to get other people contributing, so off you go, spread the word! ;)

Creator Profile - Hungry Designs

I recently got to interview the brains behind the beautiful creations at Hungry Designs.  I somehow found her on Facebook a few months ago and I've been envying her talent.  After seeing her items for sale at the Bleeding Heart Gallery Gift Shop, I just had to get in contact with her.  Read ahead to learn more about this talented artist and don't forget to check out her Facebook page :).

 Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Amanda Whitelaw and I own and run Hungry Designs, a small business that specialises in drawing, designing and creating wearable art.  I have a full time job working in Brisbane but actually live on the Gold Coast.  I'm 25 (soon to be 26) and live in a lovely home with my partner, Colin, and our 2 guinea pigs, Bud Lucky and Champ Kind.  I'm a BIG comic book collector and have a huge collection.  I'm a self confessed geek and a gamer and I LOVE to bake!

Button Shortbread

What do you create?

I make and sell wearable art.  I hand draw illustrations that I then digitally colour.  From there I then laser cut them from wood or cut them from plastic.

Derby Necklace

How long have you been making things?

I recently moved back to Australia after studying Illustration & Printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Scotland.  Originally I started Hungry Designs in Scotland but since moving back here it was really like starting again and it's a completely different beast.  Making wearable art and accessories is completely new since moving back to Australia.  
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Day of the Dead Interchangeable Lockets

What was the first thing you made?

The first design that I ever had from the wearable art range was my Zombie Girl.  Although she's not for everyone and is a little grim, the response to her was wonderful and that sparked the new look for Hungry Designs.  The biggest seller for Hungry Designs was the A Little Rain - Red brooch.  She was drawn on a whim and I didn't particularly like her.  She's still a favourite with my customers. 

A Little Rain - Green

Where do you get your inspiration?

Because I'm such a massive comic book collector, a lot of my inspiration comes from the comic books I read.  I am also hugely inspired by fairy tales, whimsy and romantic sentiments and my family and friends.  

Pirate Illustration

How can people contact you? 

I attend a lot of markets every month.  The regular events I attend are:

The Village Markets - 1st Sunday of the Month

The Marky Markets - 3rd Sunday of the Month

The Sun State Roller Girls Bouts - Seasonal (roughly every 6 weeks)

The BrisStyle Twilight Markets - Seasonally on a Friday evening.

The BrisStyle Indie Designers Markets - Seasonally on a Saturday 

Website:  www.hungrydesigns.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/hungrydesigns

Blog:  blog.hungrydesigns.com

Email:  amanda.whitelaw@me.com